Disney - Celebration, FL
posted about 2 months ago
The Manager of Product Development is a strategic leader within the Port Strategy Team at Disney Cruise Line, responsible for the development, management, and delivery of port adventure programs. This role is pivotal in enhancing the overall guest experience by implementing strategies with third-party vendors and ensuring alignment with company standards. The Manager will provide strategic direction for crafting and implementing port adventures across all destinations, ensuring that these adventures align with brand goals, improve guest experiences, and contribute to revenue growth. In this position, the Manager will build outstanding and custom port excursions that stand out in the market. They will maintain relationships with third-party operators worldwide to promote destination stewardship, ensure compliance with contractual obligations, and deliver high-quality experiences. Establishing strategic partnerships for medium to long-term planning is essential, as is the ongoing development of an innovative Port Adventure program to improve brand identity and destination engagement. The Manager will also be responsible for developing new tour products and leading the port adventure tour program for selected geographical areas. They will ensure alignment between all internal and external partners and stay updated on industry trends within and outside the cruise sector to guide strategic decisions and innovations. Additionally, the Manager will lead all departmental projects related to port adventure initiatives and strategies, collaborating with Risk Management, Aviation, Legal, and Tour Operators to guarantee overall compliance. This role requires a strong focus on financial performance, including developing pricing strategies, maintaining take rates, and analyzing performance metrics to assess profitability. The Manager will handle all tour proposals, site inspections, negotiating, contracting, execution, and maintenance of itineraries around the world. They will partner with the Itinerary planning department for new port of call development and lead the audit process to ensure relevant product improvements and evolution. Participation in the FCCA Operations Committee is also expected, engaging with government entities and ministries to support and facilitate improvements in destinations.